Blinds and Window Film

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

Here is a comprehensive Tender Briefing for the Irish Defence Forces' Blinds and Window Film tender, structured according to your specifications.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The procurement covers the supply and fitting of blinds and privacy window film to all locations within the Irish Defence Forces. The estimated expenditure over the initial 3-year term, including potential extensions, is €600,000 (excluding VAT). The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the contract for up to 12 months, with a maximum of one such extension.

The scope of work includes:

• Supply of Goods: This encompasses the provision of various types of blinds and privacy window film. Specific requirements and specifications for these goods are detailed in Appendix 1.
• Fitting and Installation: The contractor will be responsible for the installation of all supplied blinds and window film at designated Irish Defence Forces locations.
• Product Compliance: For each product proposed, tenderers must clearly define how it meets the minimum requirements set out in Appendix 1, including specific technical specifications such as:
• Tensile strength >45 EN ISO 527-3
• Elongation at break (%) >50 EN ISO 527-3
• Fire rating EN 13501-1 (Class B)
• Diverse Locations: The service is required across "all locations in the Irish Defence Forces," indicating a potentially widespread geographical distribution of work.
• Pricing Structure: Tenderers must provide pricing in Euro per square meter supplied and installed, with a specific example provided for opaque blinds at 1000 sqm.
• Contract Duration: The initial contract term is 3 years, with a potential extension of up to 12 months.
• Price Validity: All quoted prices must remain valid for 6 months from the Tender Deadline.
• No Price Increases: Defence Forces policy states no price increases will be agreed for the duration of the contract and any extensions. Price adjustments are only permitted on the first anniversary of the contract's effective date and subsequent anniversaries, based on a specified index.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by the Minister for Defence, acting as the Contracting Authority for the Irish Defence Forces. The competition is being run under an open procedure, as defined by the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. The estimated value of €600,000 (excl. VAT) over a 3-year term, with a potential 12-month extension, suggests a need for ongoing supply and installation services. The Contracting Authority explicitly encourages participation by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), suggesting a policy objective to foster SME engagement in public contracts. Larger enterprises are also encouraged to consider how SMEs can be included in their proposals.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Tenderers must demonstrate an average annual turnover of €200,000. This is to be evidenced by providing total annual financial turnover for the most recent three financial years (2023, 2024, 2025). Supporting documentation from a competent person, the firm's auditor, or audited accounts is required.
• Insurance: If awarded a contract, the successful Tenderer must hold the following insurances for the term of the contract:
• Employer's Liability: €12.7 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: Not specified for this tender.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Tenderers must provide details of 3 key contractual commitments over the past three years for similar services of comparable volume/scale and diverse locations. Contact names and telephone numbers of customers are required. Three referees who can verify satisfactory execution of contracts must also be provided.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender, beyond the requirement to operate within Ireland for insurance purposes.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of the contract will be based on the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). The specific weighting and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided extract. However, the tender process involves two stages:

1. Selection Stage: Tenderers must pass each of the defined Selection Criteria (Economic and Financial Standing, Technical and Professional Ability). Failure in any criterion leads to exclusion.
2. Award Stage: Compliant tenders that pass the selection stage will be evaluated against the Award Criteria. The Contracting Authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest priced tender.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must adhere to the following submission requirements:

• Method statement / response document: Tenderers must complete and submit the electronic European Single Procurement Document (eESPD). They must follow the RFT format and respond to each element in the order presented.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Tenderers must complete the Pricing Schedule at Appendix 2. All prices must be all-inclusive (excluding VAT), expressed in Euro, and remain valid for 6 months from the Tender Deadline.
• Case studies: Details of 3 key contractual commitments over the past three years for similar services of comparable volume/scale and diverse locations are required.
• Declarations:
• European Single Procurement Document (eESPD).
• Tenderer's Statement (Appendix 3), confirming acceptance of contract terms.
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Declaration of independent tender preparation.
• Disclosure of any Registrable Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie. Tenders submitted by any other means will not be accepted.
• File size limits: A maximum of 250MB per single file and 2GB total for all documentation apply.
• Format: All submitted documents must be in PDF format and readable by a PDF reader.
• Language: Tenders must be submitted in English.
• Samples: Samples must be provided by 21 September 2026, if required by the specification.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term + extension: The initial contract term is 3 years, with a single option to extend for up to 12 months.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Goods Contract at Appendix 5. Specific details are not provided in this extract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate with 14 days' notice in circumstances where no queries are raised within a specified 14-day period. Breach(es) capable of remedy can be terminated after 30 days' notice if not rectified.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Tenderers intending to subcontract must ensure subcontractors submit a separate eESPD for specified sections. If a subcontractor's capacity is relied upon for selection criteria, they must also submit proof of resources. Subcontractors whose value exceeds 10% of the contract value must not be prohibited economic operators.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Turnover requirement: The €200,000 annual turnover requirement is relatively low compared to the total estimated contract value of €600,000 over three years. This suggests the tender may be accessible to smaller, specialised firms, but also potentially indicates a desire to spread the work or manage risk across multiple suppliers if a framework is implied.
• No price increases: The strict policy against price increases during the contract term and extensions places the entire risk of cost inflation on the contractor. This requires careful pricing and cost management by bidders.
• Diverse locations: The requirement for service across "all locations in the Irish Defence Forces" could imply significant logistical planning and cost for a contractor, especially if these locations are geographically dispersed.
• Insurance levels: The Public Liability and Product Liability insurance requirements of €6.5 million are substantial, indicating a need for financially sound and well-insured bidders.
• No Professional Indemnity specified: The absence of a specified Professional Indemnity insurance requirement is unusual for a supply and fit contract, especially if design or specification advice is implicitly part of the service.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender appears structured to accommodate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The €200,000 annual turnover requirement is modest, making it accessible to smaller businesses. The encouragement for SMEs to form relationships with larger enterprises or other SMEs suggests a willingness to accept consortium bids or subcontracting arrangements.

A credible bidder would likely be a specialist in blinds and window film supply and installation, with a proven track record of delivering similar projects. They would need to demonstrate financial stability to meet the turnover and insurance requirements. The bid preparation effort is likely to be moderate, focusing on detailing product specifications, pricing, and providing evidence of past performance and customer references. The Pwin signal is neutral; there is no explicit mention of an incumbent, but the broad scope and potential for multiple suppliers suggest a competitive process.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: BS TEN 012026 Blinds.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: www.etenders.gov.ie (messaging facility)
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement
• Appendix 4: Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer
• Appendix 5: Goods Contract